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The Benefits of Eating Raw Almonds

May 9, 2012

Many people eat their almonds toasted, but there are benefits of eating them raw. Nuts in general have fat, but they’re either polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats, and many nuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which protect the heart and the arteries. They’re also good sources of minerals like iron, potassium and magnesium.

The one thing about eating raw almonds is to make sure that they’re raw. Some manufacturers who sell bulk nuts steam them before they sell them, then treat them with a chemical. Then, the buyer should make sure that the almonds aren’t rancid. One trick is to put them in water. By putting them in water, the almonds that float are tainted. If they float, it’s best that they should be discarded.

Health Benefits

Aside from the other good things other nuts have, almonds also have copper and manganese. These are needed in trace amounts by the body. Copper is necessary to make red blood cells and is a catalyst for the storage and release of iron. It also helps the body make collagen, which keeps skin, bones, cartilage and tendons supple. Manganese is needed for normal bone structure and to metabolize glucose. It helps the body break down carbohydrates and fats into fuel and might be an antioxidant.

They are also rich in riboflavin or Vitamin B2, which is needed for growth and the repair of tissues. Raw almonds also seem to lower a person’s risk of developing gallstones and might help people maintain a healthy weight.

Almonds are also high in Vitamin E. Vitamin E helps support heart health, guards against cataracts and cervical cancer and bolsters the immune system. Some medical professionals believe Vitamin E can help with Parkinson’s disease. By consuming about an ounce of almonds has over a third of the average person’s RDA of Vitamin E.

They are cholesterol free and low on the glycemic index, which means they don’t flood the bloodstream with glucose after they’re eaten. This means they’re beneficial to people with diabetes and can help protect against diabetes.

After buying and soaking the bulk nuts, almonds should be put in the refrigerator. Learn more by reading “Ways to Correctly Store Nuts” regarding preparations, drying options, and useful tips on storing bulk nuts.

Enjoy almonds, as they can be eaten out of hand, as a salad or dessert topping, or mixed with string beans. Tropical Foods is a food manufacturer, importer and distributor of bulk nuts and bulk packaged snack mixes & specialty foods.